Up, Up and Away

Waiting for the day....

Well, after some pretty nasty winds moved through last night, today offered up a bit calmer weather. I wasn't able to get out to the airport this morning (more of that work stuff), so when Dad called up and offered to ride with me this afternoon, I jumped at the chance.

I got to the airport about an hour before sunset, so I preflighted and had it ready to go by the time Dad made it there. We jumped in and away we went.....more rectangles around the runway.

With the wind nearly calm, it made for some fun flying and confidence building. Dad rode along and was always ready to...eh..."fix" anything that needed "fixing". After the last few lessons being in gusty conditions, today's calm wind offered a nice break. I figured out that I can actually do this thing.

I managed 7 "unassisted" landings and Dad even suggested making one with no flaps, just to mix it up and make for some good experience. It was different. My site picture was all screwed up, but I didn't break anything.

One thing that is driving me crazy on all my landings is my inability to get the nose up as high as I want before the wheels touch. I keep thinking I have another foot or so before touchdown, when SQUIRK (or BLAM!) I touchdown, almost unexpectedly. While I'm flaring and slowing down almost enough, I'd like to feel like I'm making the plane touch rather than it doing it to me. It's another one of those perception things. I've just got to do it more to make it right. I need to try looking further down the runway like several articles I've read mention, but I can't seem to remember that while I'm actually doing it.

But, like I told Dad and Kary, if thats the only thing I'm worrying about now, then I'm doing ok.

It was a beautiful evening to fly. Calm winds, cool spring weather (72 when we started) and nothing but landings in front of me.

Oh, well. Maybe one day next week I'll be able to manage a morning off with Kary AND the winds will be calmer....then if I can show up at the airport and not act like I've never seen a plane before, we'll see if I can pull this thing off.

But then again, like I told the guys at the airport....if Kary and I don't get scheduled to try this solo thing sometime soon, I may just go ahead and do it, then call him afterward to let him know :)

I can hear it now...."Hey Little Mac. I need you to sign something....."

.....maybe not.

jf

posted by Jeff Franks @ 9:53 PM